Valved aeration device



Aug. 16, 1955 T. H. HANSEN VLVED AERATION DEVICE Filed Sept. 2l, 1951 United States Patent Office 2,715,609 Patented Aug. 15, 1955 VALVED AERATION DEVICE Thorwald H. Hansen, Railway, N. J.

Application September 21, 1951, Serial No. 247,619

7 Claims. (Cl. ZIO-16) The present invention is directed to a device adapted to be used in conjunction with aquaria and in other fields, particularly in aquaria of larger sizes used by private individuals.

VThe device is specially designed to aerate the aquaria and to filter the water therein to purify it. Such a device is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 205,351, filed January 10, 1951, now Patent No. 2,614,529, and entitled Filter Aerator for Aquaria. The mechanism there described has been found in practice to be eminently satisfactory for the intended purpose and it has found a considerable use in the field. Y The prescnt invention is an extension of the invention of the aforesaid application for patent and includes improvements therein whereby more uniform and more vigorous aeration of the aquaria is obtained without any additional equipment or any increase in size of the air pump. The present invention also contemplates the provision of a valve which may be used to increase the effectiveness of the device.

ln view of the above it is amongV the objects of the present'invention to provide a ,filtering and aerating device for a tank, aquarium or the like, which isl simple in construction and which may be readily altered in size and arrangement to tit into tanks of various sizes and depths.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a device of the character described, wherein an air lift arrangement is provided such that the lift is in a plurality of steps, whereby the amount of water filtered and aerated is increased.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a valve arrangement which is used to control the ow of air or liquid and which may be adjusted quite simply without the necessity of valve handles or threaded or rotating parts.

It is still further among the objects of the present invenl tion to provide means whereby the aerating device may at desired times be used as a means for removing deposits or suspended matter from the tank or aquarium and thus maintain the water in a pure state. Y

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof and in which like reference characters indicate like parts, Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an aerating and filtering device made in accordance with the present invention, some parts being shown broken away for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1;.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional fragmentary View showing the specially constructed valve embodied in the device;

Fig. 4 isV an elevational view similar to Fig. 3, some parts being broken away and taken at about 90 to the view of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectiona1 fragmentary view showing the nature of the air inlets into the device.

There is provided a tank or aquarium 1 having sand or gravel 2 in the bottom thereof and filled with Water 3 up to point 4. An inverted cup 5 partly embedded within gravel 2 and a hollow neck 6 thereon is fitted into sleeve 7. A tube 8 has its lower end fitted in sleeve 7 and its upper end in sleeve 7 From the top of sleeve 7 a tube 9 extends to any desired point. Sometimes said tube terminates at 10 below level 4, at other times above said level, and if desired it may have a gooseneck at the upper end thereof. These variations are dependent upon the conditions which the user desires in the aquarium.

A short tube 11 extends into sleeve 7 at an upward angle, as shown in Fig. 5. A short tube 12 vertically placed connects into the tube and an air duct or pipe 13 is inserted in the open end of tube 12. A plug 14 having a bevelled inner face 15 is inserted in tube 11. By twisting plug 14 into various positions the opening from tube 12 to tube 11 may be changed to suit conditions.

A horizontal chamber 16 closed at the ends has pipes 17 and 17 extending downwardly therefrom. Pipe 17 extends into connecting sleeve 15 having a valve therein which is described below. Extending upwardly from chamber 16 is a pipe 18 entering sleeve 19, which in turn is connected to pipe 20 and to a source of air under suitable pressure. Tube 13 is attached to tube 9 by a suitable clamping arrangement 14.

Tube 17 is inserted in connecting sleeve 15', into the lower end of which extends the upper end of tube 13'. This in turn is secured to tube S by clamping means 14'. The structure of tube 7 is identical with that shown in Fig. 5 where upwardly extending duct 11 is the equivalent of duct 11 and vertical tube 12 is identical with tube'12.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 4 the valve arrangements in sleeves 15 and 15 are identical. A nipple 21 is interposed between sleeve 15 and pipe 13 and it has a flat seat 22 at the inner end thereof. A flat washer 23 of resilient material may he placed on face 22 and act as a seat for the valve. in some cases washer 23 may be omitted and face 22 may be the valve seat.

A second nipple 24 is interposed at the' opposite end of sleeve 15 between the same and pipe 17, the lower end of which constitutes the valve. Said lower end is closed and is conical in form, as shown at 25. An opening 26 in the side of tube 17 adjacent to end 25 thereof, here shown as triangular in shape, provides means for flow of uid through pipes 13 and 17 when the valve is opened.

In order to manipulate the valve sleeve 15 is grasped with one hand and tube' 17 with the other. The' elements are usually made of synthetic plastic material and while they lit suiiiciently tightly to be fluid-tight, the inherent resiliency thereof allows relative movement thereof under stress. If the valve is open, as shown at Fig. 3, and it is desired to close the same, tube 17 is gently twisted with a downward pressure whereby valve seats on washer 23 and cuts off the How of iiuid. The valve need not be completely closed but may be adjusted in a number of intermediate positions whereby control of the volume of ilow is obtained.

In the normal use of the device valves 25 are open and plug 14 is in the position shown in Fig. 5. Air is forced under suitable pressure through tube 13 whereby air enters sleeve 7 and raises water upwardly through pipe 8. Filtration of the water takes place through the gravel adjacent to cup 5. Simultaneously air forced through tube 13 enters sleeve 7 and assists in forcing water upwardly through pipe 9 and out through end 10 thereof. By this means a greater flow of water is obtained with more effective aeration thereof.

At times it is desirable to clean out of the tank sediment which accumulates at the bottom thereof or is distributed throughout the water contained in the tank. In such case there is provided a chamber 27 which is relatively large in diameter and open at both ends. A series of projections 28 are provided at the lower end of saidchamber. A lter cloth 29 in the form of a bag having anlelastic 30 at the mouth thereof is placed over the end i of chamber 27 with the eiastic 30 above projections 28. -This insures that there will be no accidental slipping off of lter 29. At an intermediate point in the side of chamber '27 is an elbow 31 which is used into the side of the chamber at an angle so as to cause a tangential ow of Y liquidV during the operation.

Ytop of chamber 27 and an opening 33 therein prevents the Cap 32 is secured to the formation of air locks.

When it is desired to clean the suspended matter from the water, Velbow 31 'is connected to end 10 of pipe 9. Q The entire device is held in the hand and with or without cup 5, is moved over the surface of the gravel 2 whereby ing along said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle at a different level, an air chamber above said pipe,` both of said air tubes being fixed to said chamber, said Y chamber being connected to a single source of air under pressure, and a valve in at least one of said'air tubes.

3. In an aeration device for tanks, a pipe adapted to extend below the level of liquid in said tank, an airtube l. extending along said pipe and entering the same at an Y tube being longitudinally slidable with respect tosaid therein. Similarly the device may be used to catch and remove foreign matter which may be iioating in the body ofthe water or even at the surface thereof. After the YVcleaning-operation is completed, chamber 27 is removed and the device again set in position for normal functioning. The chamber may be easily cleaned by removing the filter and iiushing the interior thereof.

then be replaced for a further operation.

- Watertube sizes may be changed to allow for increased flow of water in any number of stages, as for example,

pipe 9 may be of larger diameter than pipe 8. The lower end of air duct 13 is notched and bevelled so that by twisting the same inY various positions, the size of air bubble may be altered and plug 14 may be similarly twisted for the same purpose. Valve 'may be of differentshape, as for example, it may be Vat, rounded or the like. In `place of thelter cloth 29 otherVV means to accomplish the same result may be provided, as for instance,.aremovable cap similarto 32 filled with cotton or glass wool may be slipped over Vthe' bottom of cham- `vber 27.' The angle of tube 11 may be changed at will and it may enter sleeve 7 at various angles even at approximately a right angle.

While valve 2S is adjustable it may be permanently locked in position after suitable adjustment by use of a y solventV or a cement which fuses the material of the several partsto make them integral. Any suitable plastic Y material may be used for the several elements but usually it is preferred to have aV transparent synthetic resin which is used Vfor most or all of the parts of-the device. The valve may be incorporated in various other elements such asiaV T-shape tube or a cross or any other combination of tubes. Such valves are very light and when embodied in Yan aquarium they do not tend to pull down on the connecting poles, thus avoiding pinching 01T the ow ofuid. Y. The valve may be applied toV other uses as desired and may be made of metal suitable for. the purposes. These and other changes in the details of construction may, be

made within thel spirit of the invention, which lis `to be broadlyY construed and not to be limited except by the l character of the claims appended hereto.V

I claim:

l. In-an aeration device for tanks, a pipe adapted to Vextend below the level of liquid in said tank, an air tube extending along said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle below said level, a second air tubeextendingYalong said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle at a diierent level, an air chamber above said pipe,

2. .In Yan aeration device for tanks, a pipe adapted'to extend below the level of liquid in said tank, an air tube extending'along saidpipe and entering the same at an upward angle below said level, a second air tube extend- The iilter may upward angle below said level, a second air tube extend- Ving along said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle at a differentV level, an air chamber above said pipe, both of said air tubes being xed to said chamber, said Vchamber being connected to a single source of air under pressure, and a valve in at least one of said air tubes, said valve including a seat in said tube, a hollow valve integral with a second tube and having atone end a complementary seat and aside opening adjacent said end, said second seat. i

4.V In an aeration device for tanks, a pipe adaptedto extend below the level of liquid in said tank, an air-tube A extending along said pipe and entering the same atan pressure, and a valve in at least one of said air tubes, said upward angle below said level, a secondair Atube extending along said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle at a diierent level, an air chamber above said pipe,V

both of said air tubes Vbeingrixed to said chamber, said chamber being connectedxto a single source of air under,

valve including'a seat in said tube, a hollow valve integral with a second tube andhaving at one end a complementary seatand a side opening adjacent said end, said second tube being longitudinally slidable with respectto Y extend below the level'of liquid in said tank,'an air tube extending along said pipe and entering the same' atan upward angle below said level, a second air tube extending along said pipe and-entering the same at an upward angle at a dierent level, an air chamber` above saidpipe,

both of said air tubes being fixed torsaid chamber, said' chamber being connected to a single source of air underY pressure, and a valve in at least one of said air tubes, said valve including aseat in said tube, a hollow valve integral with alsecond tube and having at one end a complel Vmentary seat and a side opening adjacent saidV end, said second tube being'longitudinally slidable with respect VtoV said seat, and a resilient washer on-saidtube seat.

6. In `an aerationV device for tanks, fa verticalpipe adapted to extend belowthe level of liquid in said tank, 1

an air tube extending along the outside of and adjacentl to vsaid pipe and entering the same at aniupwardV angle belowV said level, an elongated chamber havingan open` ing at the bottom, a ,filter in said opening adjacent to said pipe and extending below said `liquid level, an elbow tube on said chambel-,said'elbow tube ted onto the uppery part of said pipeand supported thereby, said chamber being `supported by said pipe, and said chamber, pipe and tubes beingjointed together asannit.

- 7,. In an aeration device for tanks, a"vertical,pipeY adapted to extend below the level of liquid in said tank,

an air tube .extending along the outside of and adjacent toY said pipe and entering the same at an upward angle below said level, an elongated chamber having an openingat the bottom, a lter in said opening adjacent to said pipe and extending below said liquid level, an elbow tube on said chamber, said elbow tube fitted onto lthe upper part of said pipe and supported thereby,-said elbow tube being olf-centerto said chamber to imparta swirling motion to uid passing into said chamber from said elbow tube, said chamber being supported Vby, said pipe, and said chamber, pipe and tubes being jointed together 'as a unit.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McKnight Nov. 1, 1864 Dows Dec. 16, 1879 Rogers July 21, 1908 Rogers Mar. 4, 1913 Kraft Apr. 10, 1923 Beth Mar. 2, 1926 6 Forrest May 19, 1931 Gibbs July 28, 1936 Drugs et a1. June 28, 1938 Franck Aug. 2, 1938 Dalzell Apr. 1, 1947 Hansen Oct. 21, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Nov. 29. 1951 

2. IN AN AERATION DEVICE FOR TANKS, A PIPE ADAPTED TO EXTEND BELOW THE LEVEL OF LIQUID IN SAID TANK, AN AIR TUBE EXTENDING ALONG SAID PIPE AND ENTERING THE SAME AT AN UPWARD ANGLE BELOW SAID LEVEL, A SECOND AIR TUBE EXTENDING ALONG SAID PIPE AND ENTERING THE SAME AT AN UPWARD ANGLE AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL, AN AIR CHAMBER ABOVE SAID PIPE, 